390 A. Smith Woodward — Visit to American Museums. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE XII. 



Fig. 1. Estheria subquadrata (Sow.). Internal cast of a right valve; not quite 



perfect ; X 6 diam. 

 ,, 2. a, Eight valve of the young form or variety ; x 6 diam. 



b, Interstitial ornament; X 50 diam. Figs. 1 and 2 from the 



Vale of "Wardour. 

 ,, 3. Estheria Lewisii, sp. nov. a, Internal cast of a right valve, rather 



compressed ; X 6 diam. b, Imperfect traces of interstitial 



ornament ; X 70 diam. From Pennsylvania. 

 ,, 4. Estheria minnta (Alb.). Left valve ; X 6 diam. 

 ,, 5. Right valve of an individual with numerous lines of growth; 



X 6 diam. 

 ,, 6. ■ Eight valve of the small variety Brodieana ; x 6 diam. Figs. 



4, 5, and 6, from the Trias at Fulda, Hessen-Cassel. 

 „ 7. Left valve of a small or young individual ; x 6 diam. From the 



Trias of Baden. 

 ,, 8. (E. laxitexta, Sandb.). a, Left valve of individual with numerous 



lines of growth ; x 6 diam. b, Interstitial ornament of 



another specimen ; x 50 diam. From the Trias of Bavaria. 

 ,, 9. Estheria membranacea (Pacht). a, Eight valve of an individual of the 



long variety ; x 6 diam. b, Interstitial ornament (unusually 



well preserved) ; x 50 diam. From the Old Eed of Orkney. 



II. — Vertebrate Paleontology in some American and Canadian 



Museums. 



By A. Smith Woodward, F.G.S., F.Z.S., 



of the British Museum (Natural History). 



IN the Palaeontology of the Vertebrata, so much has been accom- 

 plished on the American Continent within recent years, that 

 any European interested in this line of research is naturally attracted 

 to the Museums and collections across the Atlantic. Among others, 

 the writer of the present notes has at various times been desirous of 

 comparing certain American and Canadian discoveries with those now 

 familiar to workers in the Old World ; and this desire having lately 

 been gratified, it may not be uninteresting to offer a few remarks on 

 the collections of extinct Vertebrata in the New World, viewed from 

 the standpoint of one who has had the privilege of visiting many 

 of the corresponding collections in Europe. 



New York. 

 The Geological Museum of the Columbia College, New York, due 

 to the labours of the present Professor, Dr. J. S. Newberry, comprises 

 the finest collection of American Palaeozoic Fishes hitherto brought 

 together. The Museum occupies the upper storey of the new School 

 of Mines, and is thus well lighted from above ; while the cases are 

 small and conveniently arranged for study. The lecture room 

 immediately adjoins, and the only inconvenience is the close 

 proximity of the railroad — a much more noisy neighbour than its 

 English counterpart. The large majority of American Palaeozoic 

 Eish-remains (except Selachian teeth) having been made known in 

 the works of Dr. Newberry, the collection is especially rich in type- 

 specimens ; and the fine case of Dinichthys with its allies, well 

 mounted for exhibition, is a display such as none of the well-known 

 Scottish series of Placoderm fishes can equal. The collection is still 



